BMW considers hydrogen-fueled race car for LeMans

A new report surfaces from the UK on BMW’s plans to build a radical hydrogen-powered fuel cell race car in 2018 for the LeMans race

Just days after BMW Motorsport boss Jens Marquardt downplayed any plans to build an LMP1 car, a new report surfaces from the UK on BMW’s plans to build a radical hydrogen-powered fuel cell race car in 2018. Autocar says the evaluation is at an advanced stage, with tentative support from senior management as BMW prepares to pave the way to launch a hydrogen powered fuel cell production car around 2020.

It’s unclear at the moment whether BMW would enter the car at Le Mans in an established class, or as an experimental vehicle in the non-competitive ‘Garage 56’ category that has included Nissan’s electrically assisted Deltawing and ZEOD racers in recent years. Garage 56 entry may be seen as more effective way of entering the race and raising awareness without being immediately judged against its more established rivals in the LMP1 category (Audi and Porsche).

BMW took its sole victory at Le Mans in 1999, running the BMW V12 LMR Le Mans prototype that was built in conjunction with the Williams Formula 1 team.